Archive for the ‘Outdoors’ Category

(Brian Houle of Stittsville poses proudly with the giant bull moose he harvested in the North Bay-area during bow season)

Things certainly have changed in the moose woods of Ontario and Quebec, but that does not mean hunters have thrown in the towel. The pursuit of the elusive moose remains an activity for the highly motivated regardless of where you are. It is a special hunt indeed requiring patience, skill and a thorough knowledge of your hunt territory. Moose hunters immerse themselves fully in the north woods often portaging great distances to access prime moose country; with the goal (tag permitting) of enticing a large bull through vocalization and use of scents. During the peak of the rut many dominant bull moose are hesitant to present themselves for a quality harvest opportunity. Hunters heading north this month and early into October are praying for cool weather and light winds; to lay the groundwork for one of the most exciting time of year. Even though restrictions have tightened greatly in this province, hunters still find a way to make it out, somewhere. Ontario moose enthusiasts are feeling the pinch of late, especially in areas to the north and many Ottawa Valley sportsmen are considering Quebec for hunting Bullwinkle this fall. Moose hunters aren’t just highly-dedicated; they are also on the lookout for new and exciting locales to pursue the Canadian icon known as the majestic moose.

Although the province of Ontario still boasts good moose opportunities in many regions, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s announcement on the status of moose in recent years has left more than a few hunters with growing concern. The tag system has nearly grinded to a halt with so few tags available, it’s become nearly impossible for hunt camps to function. On the Quebec-side with its alternating harvest years and standard two non-resident tags per animal does look enticing. Access to Crown Land for a non-resident, however, is quite difficult and I would suggest retaining the services of one the many moose outfitters. For more information; https://www.pourvoiries.com/en/

It has taken over 20 years to ‘get with the times’ but I am proud to finally announce the launch of my new site: The Outdoors Guy–Official Website of Jeff Morrison. Having a central hub which readers may peruse and use as a launching pad is so very important these days and, courtesy of Mrs. Outdoors Guy’s ingenuity, I now have that hub up and-running! Perhaps the most exciting thing about my new website is the re-boot of the popular Outdoors Guy Blog, which started back in 2009 after my Ottawa SUN column was put to rest. So, I invite all hunting and fishing fanatics of the Ottawa Valley to visit my new website and please subscribe so you’ll stay connected. I will be running some interesting contests (with prizes) in the coming weeks and would hate for anyone to miss out. Also check-out other website features such as books, published works, press reviews, photo gallery and my sponsors and support page. My latest blog post looks at the annual hunt camp phenomenon.

Each September I send out a tip of the hat to waterfowl hunters just so they won’t feel left out. There are hundreds of duck and goose enthusiasts out there each fall, rain or shine, crouched motionless behind a camouflaged boat or camo duck blind. The age-old tradition of calling and decoying is an art that rarely makes the pages of any hunting journal, let alone the local paper, and with migratory bird season soon under way, we pay tribute to those die-hard duck and goose hunters. Not everyone has the drive or ambition to do it, but those who do are rewarded with the sights, sounds and smells of Ontario hinterland during early fall. For information on waterfowl season and opening dates, log onto: http://www.ec.gc.ca/rcom-mbhr/?lang=en&n=99FDEC59-1

Spring has finally arrived and this year’s most exciting show is near and dear to me heart and will have hunters, fishermen and ATVers heading to Ottawa in droves!

It’s hard to believe this time last spring I had just introduced readers to a new local publication – Fish, Hunt & Ride, and now this year our magazine has its very own sportsmen’s show. Talk about cool! Sharing space at Ottawa’s EY Centre with the Outdoor Travel & Adventure Show next weekend (April 1-2) I am proud to present the 1st annual Fish, Hunt and Ride Sportsmen’s Show. Organized by the team from this region’s two best magazines – Ottawa Outdoors and Fish, Hunt & Ride, our show features tons of outdoor services, gear and apparel, exhibitors, hunting/fishing lodges and more ATVs than you can shake a stick at. Come check out the Adventure Stage for informative seminars by sporting experts and FHR team members Amanda Lynn Mayhew, Ashley Rae, Jamie Pistilli and Lawrence Gunther. Even muskie Guru John Anderson will be on-hand.

And if that lineup isn’t enough to entice come visit the Fish, Hunt & Ride booth where yours truly and a handful of FHR columnists will be stationed, my FHR team and I will be handing-out mags and chatting with readers about all things fishing, hunting or riding-related. We look forward to speaking with dozens of avid local sportsmen and women who will (hopefully) stop-by to say howdy. For more information on next weekend’s Fish, Hunt and Ride Sportsmen’s Show. http://www.fishhuntandride.ca/

I look forward to seeing you all! !

Toyota Tundra fun

Toyota’s 2017 Tundra TRD Pro pickup truck I road-tested recently, made for an enjoyable week of touring the town. The new Tundra, with its 5,500 pounds of “twisted steel and sex appeal” came equipped with ample 381 hp, 5.7 liter V8 engine. The TRD Pro trim is a slick looking truck, indeed a modern ‘cement’ matte grey colour. Having read other reviews from professionals who gave this truck overall high marks but noted that it was due for a facelift, I take these rumblings with a grain of salt. Having reviewed the 2013 Tundra and several other full-size pickups from other auto makers in past few years, I had others to compare to. For me, the new TRD Pro was solid, comfortable and roomier than the one tested three years ago. As many Toyota aficionados and even the auto-maker themselves would likely argue, why change something when it’s working? This truck is as smooth and supple a ride as any I’ve seen in a pickup and with smooth Bilstein towing shocks all around and TRD coil-overs on the front, varying terrain felt as smooth as butter. The Tundra garners highest marks for reliability and resale value, both huge in my books. Fuel consumption was not stellar as I averaged between 18-19 L/100 KM, which runs a tad thirstier than some competitors. Long-term maintenance/repair costs on these trucks, combined with high residual value make them a sound investment. Thanks to Tina Allison of Toyota Canada for the opportunity of road-testing this great truck. For more info on the 2017 Toyota Tundra: https://www.toyota.ca/toyota/en/vehicles/tundra/overviewColumn Anniversary

This month marks the four year anniversary of this Outdoors Guy column with your Pembroke Daily Observer, and I wish to thank managing editor Anthony Dixon and news editor Tina Peplinskie. Thanks also to the avid sportsmen, and women of the Ottawa Valley for your support over the years. As many are aware, hunting and fishing newspaper columns have all but gone by way of the dodo bird, so it’s great to keep this one going!Ice hut removal

Pembroke District’s March 31 mandatory ice-hut removal is coming-up next week and ice-anglers are reminded that huts which end-up in waterways after ice-out are in violation of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, though I suspect the majority of huts are gone by this point. Winter angling remains open on most lakes and rivers although ice conditions would be sketchy and unsafe by this point.

I heard from my pal “imacdon” who was already tapping last weekend, and I’ll be heading out to my garage shortly to gather the spouts and pails for our own little operation.

My daughter Grace and I produced a whopping 1 litre of syrup last spring from just two trees. Not a ton but still fun.

Ahhhh, there is nothing quite like maple syrup production, and I have spent more years than I can recall with my Dad working the sugar bush at the Arundel Natural Science School. Times I will never forget..not easy work, mind you, but extremely rewarding and tasty.

What a blast it was – laying lines, repairing breaks, tapping, watching the evaporator, taking-off the syrup and running the old creaky canner. The entire operation is a blast right down to the moment when that batch of syrup is ready to harvest…man, it tastes awesome when its warm, doesn’t it?

There is a true science involved in any maple syrup operation; from understanding maple sap’s sugar content at various times of the season, knowing the colour, taste and density of different syrup grades, to understanding basic things such as building (and maintaining) the perfect fire to keep your evaporator going strong. Its not as easy as its sounds.

Then there’s moment when the ‘webbing starts’ at precisely 7 degrees above boiling point of water, and your pure maple syrup is ripe for the picking (or pouring I should say)

Old school syrup producers have never used modern gauges and I’m sure never worried about it either. They can read more in the webbing off their ladle than a thousand sophisticated gauges could predict..now that is science in itself.

The final product, well, it is a thing of beauty and there is really nothing in the world that compares to the taste of fresh maple syrup, or taffy on snow. Canada produces over 90% of the WORLD’S supply of maple syrup(majority produced in QC and eastern ON) – a statistic we should be extremely proud of.

Maple syrup production is a big part of our heritage just like hunting, fishing or the fur industry.

So, get out there and enjoy some pure Canadian goodness!! The forecast looks good for sap to run over the next few days and lets hope favorable temperatures remain long enough for another great season! (Last spring btw was one of the best syrup seasons in recent memory)

Now, out to my garage I go to gather some equipment..and then wake my daughter up!

This awesome looking 14-point monster buck has spent the past 5 1/2 years roaming around my place and I have photographed him many times. He is actually the only buck I never got around to naming, so I’ll just call him ‘No Name.’

I am happy to report that No Name is alive and doing well!

This deer is quite distinctive with a separate non-typical point coming off his main beam on the right side, along with some nice kicker points! He’s had this non-typical crown for the past two years. It is the same buck who rubbed a tree 10 feet from my garage in Nov, 2015 and again this year in late November. He can barely fit his enormous rack inside my deer feeder!

About Jeff

Jeff Morrison is an avid outdoorsman, a member of the Outdoor Writers of Canada and former Ottawa Sun Outdoors columnist.

Over the past 10 years, Jeff has contributed to several outdoor publications and websites, and has just written his first book – Weird Facts about Fishing.

A consummate sportsman and conservationist, Jeff enjoys hunting, fishing and camping. In The Outdoors Guy, Jeff picks up where he left off with the Sun column, and encourages local outdoor enthusiasts to share their thoughts.